Abstract: A tube seal apparatus including a sealing iron having a tube sealing end, an insulating shroud having a tube clamping end, wherein the sealing iron is at least partially disposed within the insulating shroud. The apparatus further includes an anvil having a cutting detail and a non-stick membrane disposed between the anvil and the tube clamping end of the insulating shroud. The sealing iron and insulating shroud are configured to advance towards a tube to be sealed positioned between the non-stick membrane and the anvil. The tube clamping end is configured to clamp the tube through the non-stick membrane. The sealing iron is configured to advance towards the tube to melt and seal the tube against the cutting detail through the non-stick membrane.

Abstract: An adjustable magnetic counterbalance assembly wherein a counterbalance force of the adjustable magnetic counterbalance is adjustable. The adjustable magnetic counterbalance assembly includes at least one ferromagnetic tube; a magnet disposed in the at least one ferromagnetic tube and configured to be axially movable and wherein the magnet is configured to be rotationally movable relative to the respective at least one ferromagnetic tube; wherein the counterbalance force is configured to be adjustable by adjusting the rotational position between the magnet and a respective ferromagnetic tube to change the polar alignment of the magnet. Alternatively, the adjustable magnetic counterbalance assembly changes the counterbalance force based on the relative alignment of the poles of one magnet to an adjacent one.

Abstract: A tube seal apparatus including a sealing iron having a tube sealing end, an insulating shroud having a tube clamping end, wherein the sealing iron is at least partially disposed within the insulating shroud. The apparatus further includes an anvil having a cutting detail and a non-stick membrane disposed between the anvil and the tube clamping end of the insulating shroud. The sealing iron and insulating shroud are configured to advance towards a tube to be sealed positioned between the non-stick membrane and the anvil. The tube clamping end is configured to clamp the tube through the non-stick membrane. The sealing iron is configured to advance towards the tube to melt and seal the tube against the cutting detail through the non-stick membrane.

Abstract: An adjustable magnetic counterbalance assembly wherein a counterbalance force of the adjustable magnetic counterbalance is adjustable. The adjustable magnetic counterbalance assembly includes at least one ferromagnetic tube; a magnet disposed in the at least one ferromagnetic tube and configured to be axially movable and wherein the magnet is configured to be rotationally movable relative to the respective at least one ferromagnetic tube; wherein the counterbalance force is configured to be adjustable by adjusting the rotational position between the magnet and a respective ferromagnetic tube to change the polar alignment of the magnet. Alternatively, the adjustable magnetic counterbalance assembly changes the counterbalance force based on the relative alignment of the poles of one magnet to an adjacent one.

Abstract: A dual axis linear motion system utilizing one or more printed circuit boards embedded within a stage wherein the system components, including the controller, drive, and controller, may be mounted to a printed circuit board (PCB), and the electrical communications between the system components and the power to the system components are supplied through traces or etchings on the printed circuit board, thereby omitting the need for additional power and communication cables.

Abstract: A linear motion system utilizing one or more printed circuit boards embedded within a stage wherein the system components, including the controller, drive, and controller, may be mounted to a printed circuit board (PCB), and the electrical communications between the system components and the power to the system components are supplied through traces or etchings on the printed circuit board, thereby omitting the need for additional power and communication cables.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for performing counter flow centrifugation. The apparatus includes at least one vessel, a gear fixedly attached to at least a portion of the vessel such that rotation of the gear rotates the vessel, a handle assembly and a plurality of tubes extending through the handle assembly and to the vessel. The gear is configured to be rotated by a drive system. The handle assembly is rotatably attached to the gear and includes an opening therein. At least a portion of the gear engages at least a portion of the drive system through the opening. The handle assembly is configured to be rotated by the drive system. The vessel can be rotated at twice a speed of the handle assembly when the apparatus is inserted into a bowl of the counter flow centrifuge.